JP2006279118A - Image reproduction apparatus and program - Google Patents

Abstract

In order to sequentially switch and display a plurality of captured images, an image suitable as a reproduction target (for example, an image suitable for reproduction (for example, without selecting a desired reproduction target while checking a large number of captured images for each image) in advance) , Representative images with high value and attention level) are selected a predetermined number of times, and can be sequentially switched and reproduced.
An image management record file includes items of “title” and “comment” associated with each captured image, “time stamp” indicating the shooting date and time, “rating” indicating the degree of favorite, and past Records including items of “viewing count” indicating playback status, “viewing time”, and “time interval” indicating shooting interval are stored and managed. For each captured image, the CPU 1 evaluates the image by referring to the contents of each item of the management record, and based on the evaluation result for each image, the image for the set extraction number is the target image for slide show display in descending order of evaluation. Are extracted and sequentially displayed on the display unit 5.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an image reproducing apparatus and a program for sequentially switching and displaying a plurality of captured images.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when a plurality of captured images taken by a camera are sequentially switched and reproduced and displayed in a slide show format, an image reproducing apparatus that automatically reproduces images selected in advance from a plurality of images in a predetermined order. It is known (see Patent Document 1). There is also known a slide show apparatus that refers to the contents of the order table and sequentially extracts and displays the images defined in the order table (see Patent Document 2). Also, there is known an image data sequential display device in which a plurality of images are sorted according to their similarity and image display is performed in a slide show format (see Patent Document 3).
JP 11-331739 A JP 2001-103415 A JP 2000-067057 A

 However, in the techniques of Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, the display order is arbitrarily designated in advance or set in the order table in association with each image that is sequentially displayed in a slide show format. Each image can be played back in the desired order, but the display order must be determined in advance while selecting the playback target image from a large number of captured images, and it is premised on editing operations by user operations. there were. In the technique disclosed in Patent Document 3 described above, when a plurality of images are sequentially switched and displayed, their display times are automatically controlled according to the complexity of the images, or the images are displayed according to the similarity. However, it is necessary to recognize the complexity or similarity by analyzing the contents of the captured image for each image.

 In this invention, in order to sequentially switch and display a plurality of captured images, it is possible to select an appropriate image as a reproduction target without performing an operation of selecting a desired reproduction target in advance while confirming a large number of captured images for each image. It is to select a predetermined number and sequentially switch and reproduce.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image reproducing apparatus for sequentially switching and displaying a plurality of photographed images, and associated information storage means for storing and managing associated information associated with the photographed image for each image, and for each photographed image. Image evaluation means for evaluating the image with reference to the related information, and reproduction for extracting a predetermined number of photographed images as reproduction targets in descending order of evaluation based on the evaluation result for each photographed image obtained by the image evaluation means It is characterized by comprising object extraction means and display control means for sequentially switching and displaying a plurality of photographed images extracted by the reproduction object extraction means.
Furthermore, a program for realizing the main functions shown in the invention described in claim 1 is provided to the computer (the invention described in claim 10).

The invention described in claim 1 may be as follows.
The related information associated with the photographed image is input that indicates at least one of information indicating a favorite, a title, a comment, and a subject name as information arbitrarily input and set in advance corresponding to the photographed image. It is setting information, and the image evaluation means evaluates the captured image based on the input setting information (the invention according to claim 2).

The related information associated with the photographed image is information indicating the photographing date and time added to the photographed image, and the image evaluation unit includes a series of images included in a display target range arbitrarily designated. In accordance with the sequence of the series of images, a temporal interval between the images is calculated on the basis of the shooting date and time of each image having a preceding and following relationship, and image evaluation is performed based on the temporal interval. Described invention).
As a series of images included in a display target range arbitrarily specified, for example, a series of images stored in a single or a plurality of image folders such as a year-by-year image folder or an age-specific image folder. It may be an image.

The related information associated with the captured image is reproduction history information indicating at least one of the number of times of reproduction, the reproduction time, and the reproduction frequency as information indicating a reproduction state reproduced in the past, and the image evaluation The means evaluates the captured image based on the reproduction history information (the invention according to claim 4).
In this case, each time a captured image is reproduced and displayed, there is provided updating means for updating the reproduction history information associated with the reproduced image based on the reproduction status, and the image evaluation means is updated by the updating means. The captured image may be evaluated based on the reproduced reproduction history information (the invention according to claim 5).

  The related information associated with the captured image includes input setting information indicating at least one of information indicating a favorite, title, comment, and subject name as information arbitrarily input and set in advance corresponding to the captured image. Including the shooting date and time information added to the shot image and the playback history information indicating at least one of the playback count, playback time, and playback frequency as information indicating the playback status played back in the past. Combines the plurality of types of information among the input setting information, the shooting date / time information, and the reproduction history information to comprehensively evaluate the shot image (invention according to claim 6).

The related information associated with the photographed image is information indicating the photographing date and time added to the photographed image, and when an arbitrary period is designated as the display target range, the image evaluation means The captured image is evaluated for each image included in the image by referring to the related information (the invention according to claim 7).
The designated period may be, for example, a year unit such as 2000 to 2004, a month unit such as January to June 2000, a week unit, a day unit, or a day unit.

  When the shooting date / time is added to the captured image, the display control means switches and displays the plurality of captured images extracted based on the image evaluation in the order of the shooting date / time.

  The reproduction target extraction means determines whether or not an arbitrary number of extractions is set by the user, and if set by the user, extracts the images corresponding to the set extraction number as playback targets. A predetermined number of default images are extracted as playback targets (the invention according to claim 9).

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, in the state in which the related information associated with the captured image is stored and managed for each image, the image is evaluated with reference to the related information for each captured image, and this Since a predetermined number of photographed images are extracted as playback targets in descending order of evaluation based on the evaluation results for each image and are sequentially switched and displayed, a desired playback target is selected while checking the captured images for each image. Without performing work in advance, and without recognizing the complexity by image analysis as in the past, or without recognizing the similarity of images, an image suitable for playback from the evaluation result for each image ( (E.g., representative images with high value and attention) can be accurately extracted, and by narrowing the playback target to a predetermined number of images, the slide show display can be started and ended. Etc. it is possible to unify the time required for, it is possible to achieve effective slideshow.

  According to the invention described in claim 2, in addition to having the same effect as the invention described in claim 1, the related information is information indicating a favorite as information that is arbitrarily input and set in advance corresponding to the photographed image, Input setting information indicating at least one of a title, a comment, and a subject name. Since the captured image is evaluated based on the input setting information, information indicating a favorite, a title, and a subject name are displayed. It is possible to infer that it is a high-value image or a high-profile image based on any of the information or a combination of them, and it is possible to evaluate the image reflecting the user's intention. Become.

  According to the invention described in claim 3, in addition to having the same effect as that of the invention described in claim 1, the related information is information indicating the shooting date and time added to the shot image, and is arbitrarily designated. In a series of images included in the display target range, a temporal interval between the images is calculated based on the shooting date and time of each image that is in the preceding and following relationship according to the arrangement order of the series of images. Since the image evaluation is performed based on the distance, the shooting interval can be used as a criterion for evaluation determination, and the larger the shooting interval with the immediately preceding image, the easier it is to select an appropriate image.

According to the invention described in claim 4, in addition to having the same effect as the invention described in claim 1, the related information is information indicating the reproduction status reproduced in the past, the number of reproductions, the reproduction time, and the reproduction frequency. Of these, at least reproduction history information indicating one of them, and the photographed image is evaluated based on the reproduction history information. Therefore, an image having a large number of reproductions, an image having a long reproduction time, and an image having a high reproduction frequency. Can be estimated as an image with a high degree of attention, and image evaluation reflecting the past reproduction status is possible.
In this case, every time the captured image is reproduced and displayed, the reproduction history information associated with the reproduced image is updated based on the reproduction status, and the captured image is evaluated based on the updated reproduction history information. Since this is done (the invention according to claim 5), image evaluation based on the latest number of reproductions, reproduction time, and reproduction frequency up to the present time becomes possible.

  According to the invention described in claim 6, in addition to having the same effect as the invention described in claim 1, the related information is information indicating a favorite as information that is arbitrarily input and set in advance corresponding to the photographed image, Input setting information indicating at least one of a title, a comment, and a subject name, shooting date and time information added to a shot image, and information indicating the number of playbacks, playback time, and playback frequency as playback status that has been played back in the past And the reproduction history information indicating at least one of them, and the input image information, the shooting date / time information, and the reproduction history information are combined to combine the plural types of information to comprehensively evaluate the captured image. Therefore, it is possible to select an appropriate image as a reproduction target with higher accuracy.

  According to the invention described in claim 7, in addition to having the same effect as that of the invention described in claim 1, the related information is information indicating the shooting date and time added to the shot image, and can be arbitrarily set as the display target range. When the period is specified, the captured image is evaluated with reference to the related information for each image included in the specified period. Images can be extracted.

  According to the invention described in claim 8, in addition to the same effect as the invention described in claim 1 described above, a plurality of images extracted based on the image evaluation when the shooting date and time are added to the shooting image Since the photographed images are switched and displayed in order of the photographing date and time, it is easy for the viewer to grasp the temporal change situation.

  According to the ninth aspect of the invention, the same effect as that of the first aspect of the invention described above is obtained, and if an arbitrary number of extractions is set by the user, images corresponding to the set number of extractions are extracted as reproduction targets. If the user is not set, a predetermined number of default images are extracted as playback targets. Therefore, when narrowing down the playback targets to a predetermined number of images, the number of narrowing down is set as necessary. It can be increased or decreased.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.
This embodiment exemplifies a case where the present invention is applied to an electronic album apparatus having an image reproduction function as an image reproduction apparatus, and FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing basic components of the electronic album apparatus.
This electronic album device collects and saves externally supplied captured image data as album information in an internal hard disk. The CPU 1 controls the overall operation of the electronic album device in accordance with various programs in the internal storage unit 2. Central processing unit. The internal storage unit 2 is an internal hard disk (HDD) having a program area and a data area. A program area in the internal storage unit 2 stores a program for realizing the present embodiment in accordance with an operation procedure shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, which will be described later. An image folder or the like for storing images is provided. The program and data in the internal storage unit 2 are loaded into a RAM (for example, static RAM) 3 as necessary, or the data in the RAM 3 is saved in the internal storage unit 2. The RAM 3 has a program execution area and a work area.

The CPU 1 is connected to a key input unit 4 and a display unit 5 as input / output peripheral devices, and a remote controller 7 via a remote controller (remote controller) I / F (interface) 6. At the same time, a memory card 9 is connected via a card drive 8, and further a CD / DVD 11, which is a portable external recording medium, can be connected via a CD (Compact Disc) / DVD (Digital Video Disc) drive 10. ing.
The key input unit 4 includes a save button for instructing saving of image data captured by the camera, a selection button for selecting and specifying a desired menu item from a menu screen for selecting a save destination, and a viewer for reproducing and displaying the shot image Various keys such as an image display button for instructing display are provided. The display unit 5 is a liquid crystal display device that displays various message information or sequentially switches and displays a plurality of captured images in a slide show format. A touch panel is stacked on the display screen, and a touch input screen is displayed. Can also be used. The remote controller 7 is an input operation unit that performs remote operation, and is provided with various buttons and keys corresponding to the key input unit 4.

  The memory card 9 is, for example, an SD card, a memory stake, etc., and is an image recording medium for externally supplying image data taken by a digital camera device (not shown) to the electronic album device. Is inserted and set in the slot of the card drive 8, the card drive 8 outputs a card set presence signal and gives it to the CPU 1. In this case, the CPU 1 monitors whether or not the memory card 9 is inserted when the above-described save button for instructing saving of the image data is operated, and from the memory card 9 on condition that the memory card 9 is set. Image data (image file) is acquired and recorded and saved.

  The external supply means of the captured image (image file) is not limited to the memory card 9, and each captured file is acquired from the image memory in the camera device when the digital camera device is connected by cable or connector. Then, it may be recorded and saved. Here, on the digital camera device side, shooting-related information is added as information in EXIF (Exchangeable Image file format) format to the header portion of the image file for each shot image. That is, the image file is an EXIF format image file to which “image file number”, “shooting date and time”, and the like are added. “Shooting date / time” is information indicating the current date and time at the time of camera shooting, and indicating the date and time. Each image file supplied directly from the digital camera device or through the memory card 9 is accompanied by its EXIF information. Recorded and stored in the internal storage unit 2.

  The CD / DVD 11 is a portable image recording medium for recording and storing captured image data, and is capable of recording relatively large-capacity image data. The CD / DVD drive 10 has a CD and a DVD on its tray. When either one of them is inserted and set, a disk set presence signal is output and given to the CPU 1, and the CD / DVD 11 is accessed under the control of the CPU 1 to perform an image data writing operation. In this case, the CPU 1 monitors whether or not the CD / DVD 11 is set and inserts an image data writing operation on the CD / DVD drive 10 on the condition that the CD / DVD 11 is set.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the record contents of the image file with EXIF information and the image management record file 21 supplied externally.
The image management record file 21 is stored in the internal storage unit 2 corresponding to the image file group, and is configured to store and manage related information (management record) associated with the image file for each image. This management record is one-to-one associated with the image file, and includes “image file number”, “time stamp”, “title”, “comment”, “rating”, “viewing count”, “viewing time”. ”,“ Time interval ”, and“ Evaluation value ”. Here, “image file number” and “time stamp” are information automatically acquired from EXIF information, “image file number” is link information of the image file, and “time stamp” is the shooting date and time of the image. Is shown.

  “Title”, “comment”, and “rating” are information that is arbitrarily input and set by the user. “Rating” is a ranking of the favorite degree of the image by the user in five levels. “1” is the lowest and rank “5” is the highest. “Viewing count” and “viewing time” are user operation histories indicating the playback status of image playback in the past. “Viewing count” indicates the total playback count of images that have been played and displayed so far. Indicates the total reproduction time during which images have been reproduced and displayed so far, and the CPU 1 updates the contents of “viewing count” and “viewing time” each time the image is reproduced.

  The “time interval” and “evaluation value” are calculated values calculated by the CPU 1, and the “time interval” corresponds to the arrangement order in the state where the records in the image management record file 21 are sorted in order of shooting date / time. The time interval (shooting interval) calculated based on the “time stamp” in each record that is the relationship between before and after is shown. The “evaluation value” is an evaluation value of the image calculated using as parameters the “title”, “comment”, “rating”, “viewing count”, “viewing time”, and “time interval” constituting the management record. An evaluation formula for calculating the “evaluation value” will be described later.

FIG. 3 shows the items (management information) corresponding to the items “title”, “comment”, “time interval”, “rating”, “viewing count”, and “viewing time” constituting the image management record. It is a figure for demonstrating how the parameter value for evaluation calculation is converted from the content.
The “parameter value” corresponding to “title” and “comment” is defined as “when not set = 0, when set = 5”, and either “title” or “comment” is set in the image management record. If it is set, “parameter value” is “5”, and if both are set, the sum of “parameter value” is “10”. FIG. 4A is a diagram showing the table contents for explaining the correspondence between “time interval” and its “parameter value”. The “parameter value” corresponding to “time interval” is shown in FIG. As shown in (A), it becomes “0” in 0 to less than 60 seconds, “1” in less than 1 to 10 minutes, “2” in less than 10 to 30 minutes, “3” in less than 30 to 60 minutes,. ········· “7” from 7 to less than 30 days, “9” after 30 days or more.

  “Rating” is “1” = “0”, “2” = “1”, “3” = “2” according to the five-level favorite degree arbitrarily set by the user. , “4” = “3”, “5” = “4”. The “viewing frequency” is defined to be “1” once, “2” twice, “3” three times,..., And so on. The “parameter value” of the number of times or more is fixed to “10”. FIG. 4B is a diagram showing table contents for explaining the correspondence between “viewing time” and its “parameter value”. The “parameter value” corresponding to “viewing time” is shown in FIG. As shown in (B), it becomes “0” in less than 5 seconds, “1” in less than 5 to 10 seconds, “2” in less than 10 to 20 seconds, “3” in less than 20 to 60 seconds, and 1-2. It is “4” for less than 5 minutes, “9” for more than 5 minutes.

  In this way, the image is evaluated based on the parameter value obtained corresponding to each item (management information) in the image management record, and a predetermined number of images to be reproduced are extracted based on the evaluation result. I am doing so. In other words, when an arbitrary shooting period is specified by a user operation, the CPU 1 performs image evaluation while sequentially specifying each image shot within the specified period from the image group recorded and stored in the internal storage unit 2. And a predetermined number of images are extracted as representative images (images with a high degree of attention, etc.) in descending order of the evaluation values, and the extracted images are sequentially switched and displayed (slide show display).

  In this case, the predetermined number of images (the number of image extractions) can be arbitrarily specified and set by a user operation from the range of 20 to 100 images, for example. “20 sheets” is automatically set. Also, the display time of one image (slide interval time) can be arbitrarily set by a user operation, and is set to 5 seconds, for example. If a recording file is added corresponding to the image file, the recording may be reproduced and output together with the reproduction display of the photographed image.

  Next, the operation concept of the electronic album apparatus in this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. Here, each function described in these flowcharts is stored in the form of a readable program code, and operations according to the program code are sequentially executed. Moreover, the operation | movement according to the above-mentioned program code transmitted via the transmission medium can also be performed sequentially. In other words, in addition to the recording medium, an operation peculiar to this embodiment can be executed by using a program / data supplied externally via a transmission medium.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an image reproduction process that is started when viewer display is instructed.
First, the CPU 1 accepts designation of an arbitrary shooting period as an image range to be displayed (step A1). Here, for example, when “August 2004” is designated as an arbitrary shooting period indicating the display target range, the image management record file 21 is accessed, and the “time stamp” in each management record is referred to. Then, after identifying all the images photographed in “August 2004” and reading their management records and temporarily storing them in the work area of the RAM 3 (step A2), the management records are sorted in order of photographing date and time. (Step A3). As a result, among the management records in the specified period sorted in order of shooting date and time (hereinafter referred to as a specified period management record group), the record is specified sequentially from the beginning, and the corresponding “image file number” in the specified record corresponds. Image files are sequentially read out and displayed as a list of thumbnail images (step A4).

 FIG. 7A is a diagram illustrating a thumbnail list screen, in which all images taken in August 2004 are displayed as thumbnails in order of shooting date and time. In the figure, 001, 002,... Indicate image file numbers assigned to each image in a serial number format. In this list screen, “slide show A button” and “slide show B button” are provided as touch input type buttons. The “slide show A button” is a button for designating a slide show format for switching and displaying all images in the list screen in order of shooting date and time, and FIG. 7B shows an execution example of the slide show A format. . “Slide show B button” specifies a slide show format in which a predetermined number of images are selected as representative images (images with high attention) in the order of high evaluation based on the evaluation results obtained by evaluating each image. FIG. 7C shows an execution example of this slide show B format.

 After displaying and outputting the thumbnail list screen in this manner, the operation waits (step A5). Here, when any operation is performed, it is checked whether or not the display position of the image has been touched to select and specify an arbitrary thumbnail image on the list screen (step A6), and an arbitrary thumbnail image is selected and specified. If so, the image file corresponding to the selected thumbnail is read (step A7) and enlarged (step A8). In this case, the thumbnail list screen is switched to the enlarged screen, but the enlarged window may be displayed in an overlapping manner on the thumbnail list screen.

 When the enlarged image corresponding to the selected thumbnail is displayed and output in this way, the CPU 1 starts the time counting operation of the viewing time timer (soft timer) (step A9) and sets the “viewing count” in the management record of the image. "1" is added and the value is counted up (step A10). Here, when the “return button” in the enlarged screen is touched (YES in step A11), the timing operation of the viewing time timer is stopped (step A12), and the viewing time timer value (elapsed time) is stopped. Is accumulated in the “viewing time” in the management record of the image (step A13), and the screen returns to the thumbnail list screen (step A4).

 If the “slide show A button” in the thumbnail list screen is operated (YES in step A14), the designated period management record group is temporarily stored in the work area of the RAM 3 as a slide target (step A15). After the head record is designated from the designated period management record group (step A16), the image file corresponding to the designated record is read and the image is displayed and output (steps A17 and A18). Then, after the timing operation of the slide interval timer (soft timer) is started, it is checked whether the set time (slide interval time) has elapsed based on the timer value (step A19), and this set time has elapsed. If it is before, it is checked whether the “pause button” or “slide show end button” provided in the slide show screen has been touched (steps A20 and A21).

 Here, if a slide interval time (for example, 5 seconds) has elapsed since the start of the display of the top image (YES in step A19), it is checked whether all records in the specified period management record group have been specified. (Step A26), if the “pause button” is touched before the slide interval elapses (YES in step A20), the timing operation of the slide interval timer is paused, and the viewing time timer Is started (step A22). And it will be in a standby state until the "return button" provided in the slide show screen is touch-operated (step A23). During the pause, the displayed image can be continuously viewed regardless of the slide interval time.

 Here, when the “return button” is operated (YES in step A23), the timing operation of the viewing time timer is stopped to release the pause state (step A24), and the timer value (elapsed time) Are accumulated in the “viewing time” in the management record of the image (step A25). Then, it is checked whether or not all the records of the designated period management record group have been designated (step A26). Since the first record is designated at the beginning, the process proceeds to step A27 and the management record of the next order is designated. The image file corresponding to the designated record is selected and displayed (steps A17 and A18). Thereafter, the above-described operation is repeated for each record until all the records in the designated period management record group are designated.

 If all the records have been specified and the slide show display has been completed (YES in step A26), the presence / absence of repeat setting for instructing repetition of the slide show display is checked (step A28). The presence / absence of the repeat setting is arbitrarily set by the user operation when instructing the start of the slide show, for example. If there is a repeat setting, the process returns to step A16, and the first record is designated again to display the slide show. repeat. If there is no repeat setting (NO in step A28) or if the "slide show end button" is operated (YES in step A21), the screen returns to the thumbnail list screen (step A4).

On the other hand, when the “slide show B button” in the thumbnail list screen is operated (YES in step A29), the process moves to execution of a record extraction process for extracting a predetermined number of management records from the specified period management record group. (Step A30).
FIG. 6 is a flowchart detailing the record extraction process (step A30) that is started in response to the operation of the slideshow B button.
First, as described above, the CPU 1 checks whether or not the number of images arbitrarily designated by the user from the range of 20 to 100 is set as the number of image extraction (step B1). The default value “20 sheets” is set as the number of extracted images (step B2).

 Then, the total number of records in the specified period management record group is compared with the set extraction number. If the total number of records is equal to or less than the extraction number (YES in step B3), the entire record is extracted from the specified period management record group. (Step B4) If the total number of records exceeds the number of extractions (NO in Step B3), after specifying the first record in the specified period management record group (Step B5), the “time” of the first record The maximum value “9” is set as the parameter value of “interval” (step B6). Then, an evaluation value calculation process is executed based on the contents of the designated record (step B7). That is, for each of “title”, “comment”, “rating”, “viewing count”, and “viewing time” in the designated record, parameter values corresponding to the item contents are obtained, and these parameter values and “time interval” Is assigned to the following evaluation formula to calculate the evaluation value of the first image and temporarily stores it in the work area of the RAM 3.

Evaluation formula "Evaluation value = (A + B + C + D + E + F) * D"
Here, A indicates “title”, B indicates “comment”, C indicates “time interval”, D indicates “rating”, E indicates “viewing count”, and F indicates “viewing time” parameter values.
In this case, for example, “title”, “comment”, “time interval”, “rating”, “viewing count”, “viewing time” of the first record are A = 5, B = 0, C = 9 (maximum value) If D = 4, E = 2, and F = 2, then “88 = (5 + 0 + 9 + 4 + 2 + 2) * 4”. As described above, an image having a high favorite degree in the top image has a considerably high evaluation result.

 Then, the process proceeds to the next step B8, where it is checked whether or not all the records of the specified period management record group have been specified. The first record is the first record, so the second record is the next record. Is designated (step B11), the “time stamp” in the designated record is compared with the “time stamp” in the immediately preceding record, and the time difference (imaging interval) between them is calculated (step B12). Then, after setting this time difference as a “time interval” in the designated record (step B13), an evaluation value calculation process is executed based on the contents of the designated record (step B7). In this case, the time difference between the first and second records is the “time interval” of the second record, and the “title”, “comment”, “rating”, “view count”, “ The second image is evaluated by substituting the parameter values for each “viewing time” and “time interval” into the above-described evaluation formula.

Here, for example, “title”, “comment”, “time interval”, “rating”, “viewing count”, and “viewing time” of the second record are A = 0, B = 0, C = 2, D If = 2, E = 2, and F = 2, “16 = (0 + 0 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2) * 2”, which is a considerably lower evaluation result than the first.
Thereafter, the above-described operation is repeated until all the records in the designated period management record group are designated. As a result, when the processing for all records is completed (YES in step B8), the records are sorted in descending order (evaluation value order) while comparing the evaluation values of the records (step B9), and further. From this, records corresponding to the set extraction number are extracted in descending order of evaluation value (step B10). As a result, as many representative images as the number of set extractions are specified and extracted.

When such a record extraction process is completed, the process proceeds to step A31 in FIG. 5 and the extracted records are sorted in order of shooting date and time with reference to the “time stamp” in each extracted record extracted by the record extraction process. Temporary storage as a target image for slide show display in the work area. In this state, after the head record is designated from the extracted record group (step A16), the image file corresponding to the designated record is read as a representative image and displayed (steps A17 and A18). Thereafter, as in the case described above, the slide show display is executed while sequentially specifying one record from the extracted record group.
If NO is determined in step A29 described above, the process proceeds to execution of other processing (for example, unnecessary image deletion processing) according to the operation content (step A32).

  As described above, in this embodiment, the CPU 1 evaluates the image by referring to the management record for each image file in a state where the management record is stored in correspondence with the image file, and this image. Since images corresponding to the set number of extractions are extracted as target images for slide show display in descending order of evaluation based on the evaluation results for each image, and sequentially displayed on the display unit 5, the captured images are checked for each image. From the evaluation results for each image, without having to select the desired playback target in advance, and without recognizing the complexity by image analysis or recognizing the similarity of images as in the past. In addition to accurately extracting images suitable for playback (for example, representative images with high value and attention), the playback targets are narrowed down to the number of set extractions. And, the like it is possible to unify the time required for from the start to the end of the slide show display, it is possible to achieve effective slideshow.

  The management record corresponding to the image file includes items of “title”, “comment”, and “rating” arbitrarily input and set by the user, and the CPU 1 evaluates the image based on the contents of the input and set items. Therefore, image evaluation reflecting the user's intention can be performed. The management record includes an item “time interval”, and image evaluation is performed based on the content of the item “time interval”. The larger the shooting interval from the previous image, the easier it is to select an appropriate image.

  In this case, the “time interval” between them is calculated from the “time stamp” in each management record that is in the relationship before and after in the specified period management record group sorted in order of shooting date and time. Based on the size of the image, it can be determined whether the shooting times of the contextual images are greatly different or substantially the same. For example, if the previous image was taken during the New Year and the back image was taken during the summer vacation, the shooting time will be significantly different, the “time interval” will be 30 days or more, and the parameter value will be the maximum value. Therefore, the evaluation value of the back image also increases accordingly.

  In addition, the management record corresponding to the image file includes items of “viewing count” and “viewing time” as information indicating the playback status reproduced in the past, and the CPU 1 displays the “viewing count” and “viewing count”. Since image evaluation is performed based on the item of “time”, it can be assumed that an image with a higher number of playbacks and an image with a longer playback time are more attention-oriented images, and reflect past playback status. Evaluation is possible. In this case, every time an image is reproduced and displayed, the “viewing count” and “viewing time” associated with the reproduced image are updated based on the reproduction status, and the updated “viewing count” and “viewing” are updated. Since the image evaluation is performed based on the “time”, the image evaluation based on the latest number of reproductions and the reproduction time can be performed.

  When the image evaluation is performed, the CPU 1 comprehensively determines based on “time stamp”, “title”, “comment”, “rating”, “viewing count”, “viewing time”, and “time interval” in the management record. Therefore, an image suitable as a reproduction target can be extracted with higher accuracy. In addition, when an arbitrary shooting period is specified, the CPU 1 performs image evaluation with reference to the contents of the management record for each image included in the specified period. An appropriate image can be extracted from the inside. In this case, since the plurality of extracted images are sorted in order of the shooting date and time and are sequentially switched and displayed, it is easy for the viewer to grasp the temporal change situation.

  In addition, if an arbitrary number of extractions is set in advance by user designation, the CPU 1 extracts images corresponding to the set number of extractions as playback targets. If not set by the user, the CPU 1 extracts a predetermined number of defaults. Since the images are extracted as reproduction targets, the number of narrowed-down images can be increased or decreased as necessary when narrowing down to a predetermined number of images as reproduction targets.

  In the above-described embodiment, “evaluation value = (A + B + C + D + E + F) * C” is exemplified as an evaluation formula for evaluating an image. However, for example, “evaluation value = A + B + 2C + D + E + F” may be used. In this case, the constant multiplied by the parameter value C is not limited to “2”, but may be any value such as “1.5”. In addition, although any of the above-described evaluation formulas is a rating-oriented type, for example, a time interval-oriented type is “evaluation value = A + B + C + D + E + 2F” or “evaluation value = (A + B + C + D + E + F) * F”. May be. Furthermore, as an overall evaluation type evaluation formula, for example, “evaluation value = A + B + C + D + E + F” may be used. That is, if the image can be appropriately evaluated, the evaluation formula is arbitrary.

  Various evaluation formulas may be displayed in a list on the menu screen, and the user may select and specify an arbitrary evaluation formula from the menu screen. In addition, “time stamp”, “title”, “comment”, “rating”, “viewing count”, “viewing time”, “time interval” are shown as parameter values to be assigned to the evaluation formula. Is not used as a parameter value, for example, only the parameter values of “rating” and “viewing count” are used, only the parameter values of “viewing count” and “viewing time” are used, “rating”, “ Only the parameter value of “time interval” may be used. That is, the record item to be used is not limited as long as a representative image having a high value and a high degree of attention can be extracted. In this case, the user may arbitrarily select and specify the record item used for the evaluation calculation.

  In the above-described embodiment, the management record includes items of “time stamp”, “title”, “comment”, “rating”, “viewing count”, “viewing time”, and “time interval”. However, a configuration in which other items are added may be used. In other words, “subject name” may be included in addition to “title”, “comment”, and “rating” as information that is arbitrarily input and set by the user in advance, and “viewing” is displayed as information indicating the reproduction status reproduced in the past. In addition to “number of times” and “viewing time”, “display reproduction frequency”, “number of prints”, “print frequency”, and the like may be included, and parameter values corresponding to the contents of the items may be substituted into the evaluation formula. . That is, as long as a representative image with high value and attention can be extracted, the record items to be used may be “display reproduction frequency”, “number of prints”, and “print frequency”. Moreover, it is not limited to the degree of favorite (level), but may be information indicating whether or not it is a favorite.

  Furthermore, in a digital camera device with a GPS (Global Positioning System) reception function that receives and acquires the current position, the current position (longitude / latitude information) is added to the file as the shooting position every time shooting is performed. In this case, the “shooting position” may be an item of the management record. In this case, the “distance difference” between them is calculated from the “photographing location” in each management record that is in the relationship before and after in the specified period management record group sorted in order of shooting date and time, and the size of this “distance difference” is calculated. If it is determined whether the shooting times of the contextual images are largely different or substantially the same, for example, the previous image is an image taken at home, and the rear image is an image taken at a travel destination. If so, the shooting location is greatly different, and if the parameter value is increased, the evaluation value of the subsequent image can be increased accordingly.

  In addition, when “image size”, “zoom magnification”, and “subject distance” are added to the file as information at the time of camera shooting, “image size”, “zoom magnification”, and “subject distance” are managed. It may be an item of a record, and a parameter value corresponding to the content of this item may be substituted into the evaluation formula. That is, if an image intended by the user, that is, a representative image with high value and attention, can be extracted, the record items used for image evaluation are “shooting position”, “image size”, “zoom magnification”, It may be “subject distance” or the like.

In the above-described embodiment, an arbitrary shooting period is input and designated as the reproduction target range. However, all the images stored in the internal storage unit 2 or each image stored in the image folder are selected as the reproduction target range. You may be allowed to specify as a batch. In this case, a plurality of image folders may be collectively specified as a reproduction target range.
In the above-described embodiment, each image captured by the camera is externally supplied from the camera device or its memory card. However, image data may be externally supplied via wireless communication means. In the embodiment described above, a dedicated display unit is provided in the electronic album device, but a TV receiver, a personal computer, or the like may be externally connected for playback display.

 In addition, the playback target image may be a still image or a moving image, or may be a mixture of a still image and a moving image. The electronic album device is not limited to a stand-alone type, and each component thereof is It may be a distributed system that is physically separated into two or more casings and transmits and receives data via a wired transmission line such as a communication line or cable, or a wireless transmission line such as radio waves, microwaves, or infrared rays. . Further, the present invention is not limited to an electronic album apparatus having an image reproduction function, and can be similarly applied to, for example, a digital camera apparatus and a personal computer.

  On the other hand, a recording medium (for example, a CD-ROM, a flexible disk, a RAM card, etc.) on which program codes for executing the above-described units are recorded may be provided to the computer. That is, a recording medium having a computer-readable program code, and a function for storing and managing related information associated with a captured image for each image, and the captured image with reference to the related information for each captured image A function for extracting a predetermined number of photographed images as playback targets in descending order of evaluation based on an evaluation result obtained for each photographed image, and a function for sequentially switching and displaying a plurality of extracted photographed images. A computer-readable recording medium on which a program for realizing the above is recorded may be provided.

The block diagram which showed the basic component in the case of the electronic album apparatus provided with the image reproduction function applied as an image reproduction apparatus. The figure which showed the record content of the image file with EXIF information supplied externally, and the image management record file 21. FIG. Corresponding to each item “Title”, “Comment”, “Time interval”, “Rating”, “Viewing count”, “Viewing time” that composes the image management record, the evaluation calculation is based on the contents of this item (management information). The figure for demonstrating how the parameter value for conversion is converted. (A) is a diagram showing table contents for explaining the correspondence between time intervals and parameter values, and (B) shows table contents for explaining the correspondence between viewing time and parameter values. Figure. The flowchart which showed the image reproduction process started when a viewer display is instruct | indicated. The flowchart which detailed the record extraction process started to be executed in response to the operation of the slideshow B button. (A) is a diagram illustrating a thumbnail list screen, (B) is a diagram illustrating an execution example of a slide show A format, and a diagram illustrating an execution example of a slide show B format.

Explanation of symbols

1 CPU
2 Internal storage 3 RAM
4 Key input section 5 Display section 9 Memory card 11 CD / DVD
21 Image management record file

Claims (10)

An image playback device that sequentially switches and displays a plurality of captured images,
Related information storage means for storing and managing related information associated with the captured image for each image;
Image evaluation means for evaluating the image with reference to the related information for each captured image;
Reproduction target extraction means for extracting a predetermined number of photographed images as reproduction objects in descending order of evaluation based on the evaluation result for each photographed image obtained by the image evaluation means;
Display control means for sequentially switching and displaying a plurality of photographed images extracted by the reproduction object extracting means;
An image reproducing apparatus comprising: The related information associated with the photographed image is input that indicates at least one of information indicating a favorite, a title, a comment, and a subject name as information arbitrarily input and set in advance corresponding to the photographed image. Configuration information,
The image evaluation means evaluates the captured image based on the input setting information;
2. The image reproducing device according to claim 1, wherein the image reproducing device is configured as described above. The related information associated with the photographed image is information indicating the photographing date and time added to the photographed image,
The image evaluation means, in a series of images included in an arbitrarily designated display target range, the time between the images based on the shooting date and time of each of the images that are related to each other according to the arrangement order of the series of images. Image gap and calculate the image based on this gap,
2. The image reproducing device according to claim 1, wherein the image reproducing device is configured as described above. The related information associated with the captured image is reproduction history information indicating at least one of the number of reproductions, the reproduction time, and the reproduction frequency as information indicating a reproduction state reproduced in the past.
The image evaluation means evaluates the captured image based on the reproduction history information;
2. The image reproducing device according to claim 1, wherein the image reproducing device is configured as described above. Update means for updating the reproduction history information associated with the reproduced image based on the reproduction status each time the captured image is reproduced and displayed,
The image evaluation means evaluates the captured image based on the reproduction history information updated by the update means;
5. The image reproducing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the image reproducing apparatus is configured as described above. The related information associated with the captured image includes input setting information indicating at least one of information indicating a favorite, title, comment, and subject name as information arbitrarily input and set in advance corresponding to the captured image. Shooting date and time information added to the photographed image, and reproduction history information indicating at least one of the number of reproductions, reproduction time, and reproduction frequency as information indicating the reproduction state reproduced in the past,
The image evaluation unit comprehensively evaluates the captured image by combining the plurality of types of information among the input setting information, shooting date and time information, and reproduction history information.
The image reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, which is configured as described above. The related information associated with the photographed image is information indicating the photographing date and time added to the photographed image,
When an arbitrary period is specified as the display target range, the image evaluation unit evaluates the captured image with reference to related information for each image included in the specified period.
2. The image reproducing device according to claim 1, wherein the image reproducing device is configured as described above. When the shooting date and time is added to the shot image, the display control unit switches and displays the plurality of shot images extracted based on the image evaluation in the order of the shooting date and time.
2. The image reproducing device according to claim 1, wherein the image reproducing device is configured as described above. The reproduction target extraction means determines whether or not an arbitrary number of extractions is set by the user, and if set by the user, extracts the images corresponding to the set extraction number as playback targets. , Extract a predetermined number of default images as playback targets,
2. The image reproducing device according to claim 1, wherein the image reproducing device is configured as described above. Against the computer,
A function for storing and managing related information associated with a captured image for each image,
A function for evaluating the captured image with reference to the related information for each captured image,
A function of extracting a predetermined number of photographed images as playback targets in descending order of evaluation based on the evaluation results obtained for each photographed image;
A function for sequentially switching and displaying a plurality of extracted images;
A program to realize

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